John T. Kady, a former United Press International reporter, bureau chief, and vice president who in recent years served as an Ohio correspondent for The Blood-Horse, died of a heart attack in Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 4. He was 79.
Kady's career with UPI spanned 35 years, including assignments in Charleston, W.Va., Baltimore, Md., Louisville, Ky., and Columbus. Kady was also the author of two books—A Sentry's Saga and A Reporter's Notebook: Kennedy to Kent State—and most recently covered the Ohio legislature for The Blood-Horse.
Kady was born Sept 2, 1933, in Wheeling, W.Va. He served with the U.S. Air Force from 1951-55 in Okinawa as a member of the Air Police Canine Corps and as an AP in England.
Upon graduating from West Virginia University in 1959 with a degree in journalism Kady immediately embarked on his career with UPI. He continued writing throughout his retirement but didn't get around to writing his planned next book, which he called Growing Up On The Ohio River.
Kady is survived by his wife of 39 years, Patricia; he was previously married to Joyce Beveridge, who passed away in early 2013. Kady is also survived by daughter Jennifer Davis and husband Bud; daughter Gretchen McClincy and husband Tim; stepson Dana Murdock; stepdaughter Melanie Murdock; eight grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
A memorial service will be held Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. EDT at St. Agnes Church in Columbus. Kady, a lifelong horse racing fan who was introduced to Thoroughbred racing at Wheeling Downs, requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, which is dedicated to the rescue and retirement of racehorses, at P.O. Box 834, Saratoga Springs, N.Y., 12866.
